Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14655, William Durant, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Durant, William Mary
Sk 14655
CONTENTS

4941
Rep 2 .
Massachusetts
Mary Durant
widow of William Durant
Mass who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 68 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of Feb. 1844 and sent to Elijah Clark Brighton, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex, ss.
On this thirtyfirst day of July eighteen hundred and forty three, Personally appeared before the Hon. S. P. Hays, Judge of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, and State aforesaid, Mary Durant, a resident of Cambridge in said County, eighty eight years of age, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July, Seventh 1838, entitled an act, granting Half Pay and pensions to certain widows, That she is the widow of William Durant, who was a private in the artillery in the first eight months service of the Revolutionary War, 1775, in Col. Thomas Pierce, company, in Col. R. Gridley's Regiment, which service he rendered from Milton his native place of residence, and that in July 1776, he engaged for Samuel Dore of Milton, and rendered five months service at Ticonderoga in Col. Wheeler's Regiment, and that while in this service he suffered by sickness, that Samuel Durant a brother of her husband, who was in the same company died at Ticonderoga, that she is not able to recollect the name of the captain that commanded the company or as yet to find full proof of the last mentioned service, but is of the impression that her said husband rendered in all near fifteen months service which was in the years of 1775 and 1776, and it is also her

impression that some part of the service was rendered in a company commanded by Capt. Elijah Rose of Milton. She further declares, that in 1777, or 1778, her said husband removed from Milton to Exeter in the State of New Hampshire where he commenced, and continued the manufaturing of paper, and that she was married to the said William Durant on the eleventh day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, that the ceremony was performed by the Reverend, David Rogers, Pastor of a Church adverting in Exeter aforesaid, that her husband, the said William Durant, died at his residence in Exeter, on the eleventh day of September in the year eighteen hundred and eighteen, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz., at the time above stated;
Mary Durant
Subscribed & sworn to by said Mary Durant on the day & year first above written, at her place of residence in Cambridge, she being unable by reason of age & infirmity to go from home, or attend Court - before me
J. P. Day Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex

I John Kimball of Exeter in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire, age 72 years, depose and say that I resided into the neighborhood of William Durant in said Exeter on the thirteenth day of April 1796, said Durant family at that time consisted of himself & wife, whose name previous to their marriage was Mary Thwing, a daughter of Peter Thwing of Shentura in said County. They had at that time six children, viz Polly or Hannah Rebecca, Silas Betsey, Parnell & William, after 1796 they had two more children viz Mary and Nancy, their eldest child at the time I resided into the neighborhood I should think was not over fourteen years old, I lived within a quarter of a mile of them they were one of my nearest neighbors, I have frequently heard it stated that said William Durant's mother, now resides in Cambridge Mass Charles & I also have heard it said that said William Durant resided in some part of the State of Massachusetts previous to his marriage with said Mary Thwing, I further state that I knew said William Durant & wife as early as the year 1790, & at that time they lived together as man and wife, John Kimball
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss December 29, 1843 Personally appeared the above named John Kimball & made oath the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. Before me J. W. D. Dearborn Justice of the Peace

I, Anna Rouse of Overton in the County of Nottingham & state of New Hampshire, aged 61 years, depose & say that I formerly knew William Durant & his wife when in some previous to their marriage was Mary Tiney. I knew said Durant & his wife, as soon as I was old enough to know any one out of our own family, & also knew all their children, their third daughter Selina Durant was just my age, as I have frequently heard my mother say we were born the same day. I have frequently heard it said that the widow of said William Durant now resides in Cambridge Massachusetts. I think I have heard it stated when I was a small girl, that said Durant was formerly out in the Revolution War, I also knew two daughters of said William & Mary, that were older than Selina, & I further state that said Durant & wife always lived together as man & wife from the time I first knew them until the death of said William Durant.
Anna Rouse
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss
December 29, 1843 Personally appeared.
the above named Anna Rouse & made oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is true before me.
J. M. Dearborn Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss
I Ira B. Heitt clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for said county do hereby certify that Stephen W. Dearborn Esq. is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commis- sioned and qualified, that his commission is dated June 11. 1843. and will expire in five years from that date; and that the signatures on the annexed paper purporting to be His, is in his own proper hand writing and are genuine
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of our Superior Court of Judicature this twenty ninth day of December A.D. 1843.
I. B. Heitt Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
Cen
File No. 14655
Mary Darent
Widow of
William Darent
Pr. Rev War
Act: March 31. 48
Index:—Vol. a , Page 199
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts
Mary Durant, widow of William Durant, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 11 th Sept: 1818 of Middlesex (in the State of Mass'ts) who was a private within the company commanded by Captain Pierce of the Reg't: commanded by Col: Tuilley in the Mass'tts line for 7 months & 2 days March
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of — 30 — Dollars 68 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the — 23 d — day of January 1844 — and sent to Hon. Mr. Paine — H. R.
Total amount, $ 153 40
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Whittier Clerk, Book D — Vol. 1 — Page 55

9481 Mary Duranto Mass s Suspended
Set to Elijah Clark Oct 13 '43
Act July 7 th 38

I Samuel Smith of Brentwood in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire agree seventy eight years of age and say that I was well acquainted with William Durant formerly of Exeter and always knew him after he came from Milton Massachusetts and worked at the paper making business and that I am well acquainted with his widow and was well acquainted with her from my youth before her marriage to said Durant her name before her marriage was Mary Thing the daughter of Peter Thing who lived within a half of a mile of me until her death I recalled perfectly well when said Durant was married to said Mary Thing but cannot state the exact time I was not present at the marriage but think it was not far from the year 1780 I have always known the widow of said William until within six or seven years when she left and went to Cambridge Massachusetts as is reported. I recollect of said Durant & wife living together until said Durant's death which was about 1818 and was acquainted with six of their children and said Durant lived within one mile of me when he died
Samuel Smith
July 13. 1843
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss July 14. 1843 Personally appeared the above named Samuel Smith and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true and that I am personally acquainted with said Smith and that he sustains a good moral character & is a respectable citizen of the town of Brentwood.

I Joseph T Porter do hereby certify that I am town Clerk of the town of Exeter in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire and that I have examined the Records that contain the record of marriages recorded in said town and that I cannot find any record of the marriage of William Durant to Mary Thwing July 14. 1843
Joseph T Porter
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss July 14. 1843 Personally appeared the above named Jos. T. Porter and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true Before me S. M. Dearborn Jus of the Peace

I Thomas Gilman of Exeter in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire do hereby say that I was acquainted with William Durant & his wife Mary Durant before their marriage and after until the death of said William which was about twenty five years since. The Rev. Daniel Riggs formerly of this town was my Grandfather and lived within three or four rods of my Father's house about the year 1780. he performed the marriage ceremony for said Durant & wife. I was not present at their marriage but recollect the time perfectly well as it was talked over by my Father & Grandfather & the family. The name of said Durant wife before their marriage was Mary Perry the daughter of Peter Perry of this town and always had been acquainted with her until about eight years when she left and went to Barnbridge Mass. It was said that said William Durant was from Massachusetts when he first came to this town from the towns of Milton or Newton but am not positive which. I was acquainted with the children of said Durant which I think was six in number July 14. 1843
State of New Hampshire
Thos Gilman
Rockingham July 14. 1843 Personally appeared the above named Thomas Gilman and made oath that the deposition by him submitted is in his belief true and that I am personally acquainted with said Gilman and that he sustains a good moral character & is a respectable man.
Before me G.W. Dearborn Jus of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
I, John B. Heath Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County certify that Stephen W. Dinsmore Esq who has subscribed the within certificate is an acting justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated on the 11th day of June A.D. 1843; and will expire on the 11th day of June A.D. 1848, and that the within signature was made in my presence and genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Superior Court of Judicature this Twentieth day of July Anno Domini 1845.
J. B. Heath Clerk

Brighton Augt 12. 1833
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the Documents. Claims of Mrs Mary Durant of Cambridge, for a Pension under the Act of 1831.
Yours very Respectfully Ezekiel Elijah Clark
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Brighton December 31 st 1843
Dear Sir,
To enclose to you herewith the additional evidence in support of the Marriage of William Durant & Mary Ding, both of Boston in the State of Massachusetts. Mrs. Durant received notice from the heirs of William, the widow her for several years past resided with Mr. William F. Carter, at the College Gardens in Cambridge. A return in answer to her claims was made by Mr. J. W. Clump October 18 th 1843. Stating that the proof of the date of her Marriage was not sufficient, it appears from the information which I receive that there is no record of their intention of Marriage, nor a record of the Marriage in the Town or Church, nor a record of their family in Boston. The written information stating to be the best additional evidence to be found, as Mrs. Durant cannot mention the name of the last town which her husband resided under, at Winchester in 1776. That date is not to be found.
Yours very respectfully 661 369.
Elizah Clark
Hon. William Parsons M c L. at Washington City D.C.

Mr Washington May 3. 1844
Yours Very affectionately Mr. R. R. Madden

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 24 th 1843
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of W m Durand of Milford is found in the Muster Rolls of Capt. Thos. Prince's Col d Regiment of Artillery. That my ancestor J s Maye says that he of the Col d Regiment in Dec r 1775, and received a coat agreeable to a resolution. The rolls in this Office show no further service of the said Durand.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this

Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.
J. A. Bolles Secretary

I, Mary Durant of Cambridge in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, eighty-eight years of age, do testify and say that William Durant my husband rendered service in the Revolutionary War and according to the best of my recollections, my said husband rendered eight months service in the year 1775 in the Artillery and was in the engagement on Bunker Hill, that he was also under the command of Genl. Washington on Dorchester Heights in the first part of 1776, and that he was also in the service at Ticonderoga in 1776, five months, and that one of his officers name was Major Paine and that he rendered this service from Milton, or from Dorchester, his native place of residence, and I now require an examination of the records in the care & superintendence of the Secretary of the State for proof of my said husband's service, and that it be produced to Elizah Clark of Brighton who is to aid my claim.
Mary Durant
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. At Cambridge June 12th 1833 Then personally appeared Mary Durant and made oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is true, and I certify that she is reputed to be a person worthy of credit & of good character. Before me, Elizah Clark, Justice of the Peace,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex ss.
On this 27th day of February eighteen hundred and forty four personally appeared Mary Durant a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex, Mary Durant a resident of Cambridge in said County, eighty nine years of age, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1836, granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of William Durant who was a Major in Col. A. Giddings Regiment of Artillery, whose service terminated from Milton, and that she received thirty dollars and sixty eight cents per annum under the act of the seventh July 4. 1838, which was paid to her at the agency for paying Pensions in Boston, and she further declares that she is still a widow,
Mary Durant
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written. Before me, Eliza A. Clark, acting the Peace
Middlesex ss. Cambridge February 27th A.D. 1844. I hereby certify that Mary Durant who has subscribed and made oath to the above declaration is the same Mary Durant of Cambridge who has recently received a pension under the act of Congress July 4th 1838.
Eliza A. Clark, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston February 6 th 1844
I hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation, Elijah Clark was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

5326 Feb 9 1844
Map Mary Durant 2 March 1843
68 cts $30 per a—
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 16 th 1843
I hereby C ertify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Samuel P. P. Gay was Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.

9481
Mary Durant ... Mass s Rec d July 7 th 88
adnd 7 mo. 11. Malch s $30.68
To Wm d Carpenter H.R.

I William E. Carter, aged fifty nine years do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with Mary Durant an aged woman, who is an applicant for a pen- sion for the services of her husband in the revolution- ary war. I know her husband William Durant who was then living at Exeter in New Hampshire & who died there. That said Mary has resided in my house in Cambridge for seven years or there- abouts, last past. It is so infirm & lame or weak in her limbs, as to be unable to go from home
William E. Carter
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Middlesex County ss: July 31 st 1843. Then personally appeared William E. Carter, who is well known to me, as a respectable citizen of Cam- bridge a credible person. Made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me
J. P. P. Day J. V.